JAIPUR.- Jawahar Kala Kendra announces the third edition of its annual performing arts festival, NAVRAS. From 17 - 25 March 2018, the festival will present a rich and diverse programme of theatre, classical and contemporary dance, sufi, classical and fusion music. The festival will open on 17 March with Dhamaal, a celebration of the drumming traditions from India, with a performance curated and directed by the renowned percussionist Aneesh Pradhan and will be followed by a week of outstanding performances including:

Thari - The Loom by Padma Shri Malavika Sarukkai and Attakkalari’s Bhina Vinyasa, which combines movement and digital art

Ismat Apa Ke Naam directed and acted by Naseeruddin Shah with his wife, Ratna Pathak Shah and daughter Sheeba Shah; Khwab Sa directed by Atul Kumar, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Shakkar Ke Paanch Daane directed by Manav Kaul and acted by Kumud Mishra; Mahadev Bhai directed by Ramu Ramananthan and acted by Jaimini Pathak; Elephant in the Room directed and acted by Yuki Elias; and Ek Madhav Baug directed by Vivek Kenkre and acted by Mona Ambegaonkar.

Partition: The Stories of Separation by Sonam Kalra; and morning raagas by Jayteerth Mevundi and Niladri Kumar. The closing of the festival will premiere the Rajasthan Roots Caravan, with more than 30 Rajasthani musicians on stage, directed by Aditya Bhasin.

Premiere
JKK announced the premiere of A Bride in the Hand, directed by Rajasthan’s rising star Ajeet Singh Palawat. Ajeet’s proposal was selected by JKK after an open call for proposals in 2017 and is destined to be a highlight of Navras.

Experimental and Experiential Programmes
In an attempt to introduce audiences to innovative musical productions, several experiential productions have been invited to Navras. Dhamaal celebrates the percussion traditions of India; Thari The Loom is inspired by the sari; Partition: Stories of Separation is an experiential performance using music, theatre, film, design and art to retell the stories of separation; and Rajasthan Roots Caravan, which features more than 30 artists on stage exploring the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan's folklore, is an audio visual extravaganza presenting a contemporary and explosive package of song, dance and instruments.

Meet the Artist
In addition to the performance programme there will be several ‘Meet the Artist’ sessions where artists will be available to talk to the public and media a day after their performance.

Pooja Sood, Director General of JKK said, “JKK is proud to present yet again, a variety of nationally acclaimed performances in music, dance and theatre to audiences in Jaipur. If Navras means to have new experiences, then it is our endeavour that the audiences in Jaipur enrich themselves in experiencing theatre dance and music in new and diverse ways. We are also proud to showcase a commissioned theatre production by JKK.”